DIANA LEONE / DLEONE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Gov. Linda Lingle was among the public officials who attended last night's birthday party for children at the Next Step homeless shelter in Kakaako. On the last Saturday of each month, a different company sponsors the party for the children born in the month.
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Homeless kids get happy birthday
Children's birthdays are celebrated with a monthly party at the Kakaako state shelter
EVEN FAMILIES who don't have homes were able to celebrate their children's birthdays last night at the state's Next Step homeless shelter in Kakaako.
On the last Saturday of each month, a different company sponsors the party for the children born in the month.
Last night, Aloha Airlines employees brought three cakes for everyone in the shelter to celebrate the birthdays of four children and teenagers, ages 2, 3, 16 and 18.
"I just can't imagine growing up without a birthday, and I think every child is entitled to one," said Tammy Kubo, a former Aloha Airlines flight attendant and wife of U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, who put on the first birthday party for children who live at the shelter in July.
DIANA LEONE / DLEONE@STARBULLETIN.COM
A woman staying at the Next Step homeless shelter gave Gov. Linda Lingle a hug after thanking her for a place to stay.
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More than 120 Aloha Airlines employees brought gifts for the birthday celebrants and the rest of the 93 kids staying at the shelter and their families.
The workers donated 50 boxes of clothing and more than $2,000 worth of board games, underwear, hair brushes, stuffed animals, infant formula, an electric thermometer, soap and bags with candy.
"I get goosebumps. It just blows my mind," said Next Step manager Utu Langi. "The kids, when they grow up and realize what happened here tonight, it is something special."
Mikel Gilliland, a captain for Aloha, went to the shelter in his captain's uniform after flying since 6:15 a.m.
"It's a great opportunity for us to come out and do something for the community," he said.
Liaa Phillips, a flight attendant, agreed.
"We're a close-knit ohana. We take care of each other, and part of that is taking care of the community," she said while passing out lilikoi bars to the residents.
Natisha Taualai, who has been staying at the shelter for a month with her family, turned 18 earlier in September was expecting one of the large boxed gifts.
"I'm really happy," she said. "I took today off just for this." She works at a nearby fast-food restaurant.
A keiki hula halau performed a dance, and later a movie was played for the shelter.
Also attending the party was Gov. Linda Lingle, homeless solutions team leader Kaulana Park, Kubo and several other state administrators.